We have reviewed the demographic characteristics of, and report abnormalities noted in, the de-novo growth and development of a paid oocyte donation programme. The personal profiles of all prospective oocyte donors were reviewed. Acceptance or rejection of candidates was based upon screening the results of medical, genetic and psychological testing. A total of 603 candidates initially responded...

Molecular biology, and in particular the ability to modify genetic composition in vivo through transgenesis, has revolutionized the study of reproductive biology. Knowledge of the mechanisms of oocyte growth and hormone action have benefited from the identification and characterization of several novel genes involved in ovarian development and function. There are hundreds of genetically altered...

The first hours of Drosophila embryogenesis rely exclusively on maternal information stored within the egg during oogenesis. The formation of the egg chamber is thus a crucial step for the development of the future adult. It has emerged that many key developmental decisions are made during the very first stages of oogenesis. We performed a clonal genetic screen on the left arm of chromosome 2 f...

The oocyte's meiotic spindle is a dynamic structure that relies on microtubule organization and regulation by centrosomes. Disorganization of centrosomal proteins, including the nuclear mitotic apparatus (NuMA) protein and the molecular motor complex dynein/dynactin, can lead to chromosomal instability and developmental abnormalities. The present study reports the distribution and function of t...

The aim of the present study was to report a novel developmental abnormality in a cloned dog. A fibroblast cell line was established from an 8-year-old male German shepherd dog. In vivo matured oocytes were retrieved from a large breed dog, and the nucleus was removed from each oocyte. A donor cell was injected into an enucleated oocyte, and the oocyte-cell couplet was fused electrically. After...

Regardless of whether fertilization occurs in vivo or in vitro, a large proportion of human embryos do not develop progressively through the pre-implantation stages or arrest development after implantation. This study examined the association between the chromosomal/spindle normality of the mature human oocyte and the dissolved oxygen content, vascular endothelial growth factor concentration (V...

Sister chromatid cohesion, mediated by cohesin complex and established by the acetyltransferases Esco1 and Esco2, is essential for faithful chromosome segregation. Mutations in Esco2 cause Roberts syndrome, a developmental disease characterized by severe prenatal retardation as well as limb and facial abnormalities. However, its exact roles during oocyte meiosis have not clearly defined. Here, ...

Unfertilized human oocytes were obtained from women in an in-vitro fertilization programme. The women had a mean age of 29.4 years (range 24-35 years). Chromosomal complements could be analysed in 50 oocytes. Q-banding of the chromosomes facilitated identification of individual chromosomes: 34 oocytes (68%) had the normal haploid chromosomal complement, 14 complements were hypohaploid (28%), 1 ...

Objectives: The purpose of this review is to provide an overview existing studies on the specificities gene expression in endometrium PCOS and possible molecular mechanisms linking those with reproductive obstetric consequences PCOS. Mechanism: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) a complex disorder combining features reproductive, metabolic, psychological disturbances. effect inflammatory, endocri...